Crescent Moon Visibility of Safar 1445 AH
The crescent visibility map below for Safar 1445 (RHS) shows that the moon will be born on 16 August 2023 at 09:38 GMT/UT, but it will not be visible by the naked eye anywhere in the UK to Morocco (MA) region on that date. However, on 17 August 2023, the moon may be easily visible in Morocco, but [may] not in the UK. Hence, the month of Safar is most likely to start on 18 August 2023 in Morocco and on 19 August 2023 in the UK, InShaAllah.
 |
 |
 |
When to Observe the Crescent Moon of Safar 1445 AH
Please look for the Hilal of Safar 1445 AH on 17 & 18 August 2023 (ie. 29th Muharram and the next day) after sunset from the western horizon and report your results (positive or negative) via our website Observation Report Form. [Photo Competition]
Results of Crescent Moon Observations for Safar 1445 AH
ICOUK Moon Report
17 Aug 2023
United Kingdom
Blackburn (Mellor)
Not seen after sunset: On 17 Aug 2023, ICOUK member Mr Mohammad Quraishi from Blackburn (Mellor) City in the Lancashire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Mohammad Quraishi commented: "I observed the horizon and the expected location of the Crescent Moon. There were patches of cloud making it very difficult when this was an exceptionally difficult (though not impossible) to spot in England tonight. However, the crescent was NOT SEEN at Mellor, Blackburn".
Not seen after sunset: On 17 Aug 2023, ICOUK member Maulana Hidayatullah Patel from Blackburn (Mellor) City in the Lancashire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Maulana Hidayatullah Patel commented: "Overall cloudy where the moon was expected to be seen".
Cardiff
Not seen after sunset: On 17 Aug 2023, ICOUK member Mr Shakil Qureshi from Cardiff City in the South Glamorgan (Wales) County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye or Binoculars.
Mr Shakil Qureshi commented: "We arrived at the sighting location before sunset but due to a thick band of cloud on the horizon, couldn't observe the sunset. We remained at our location until moonset time but unfortunately this time we were unable to see the crescent".
Chorley
Not seen after sunset: On 17 Aug 2023, ICOUK member Mr Sameer Ali from Chorley City in the Greater Manchester County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Sameer Ali commented: "Alhamdulillah the [Anglezarke Viewpoint] view is great from there, the weather was partially cloudy and quite hazy, which would have made it difficult [to see the moon] even in better circumstances".
Cradley Heath
Not seen after sunset: On 17 Aug 2023, ICOUK member Mr Modoris Ali from Cradley Heath City in the West Midlands County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Modoris Ali commented: "I couldn't see the moon as it was cloudy. I would try again tomorrow, Insha Allah".
Edinburgh
Not seen after sunset: On 17 Aug 2023, ICOUK member Mr Zahid Ali from Edinburgh City in the Scotland County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Fleetwood
Seen after sunset: On 17 Aug 2023, ICOUK member Maulana Abdullah Ahmed from Fleetwood City in the Lancashire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye and Binoculars.
Maulana Abdullah Ahmed commented: "From Fleetwood (17/8/2023): I, Abdullah Ahmed from Dewsbury testify that I and my son Muhammad Daanyaal sighted the top half of the crescent moon from Fleetwood, North of Blackpool with binoculars [8:38 pm] and then naked eye [8:40 pm] for a couple of minutes, then it went into the clouds. We didn't manage to take a photo of the moon [unfortunately]. Question (Admin): 'How could you have seen the moon at (soon after) sunset time with the naked eye (due to strong solar glare)?' Answer (Witness): 'There was no strong solar glare as the Sun had already gone behind the low clouds and haze on the horizon' ".
Leeds
Not seen after sunset: On 17 Aug 2023, ICOUK member Maulana Yusuf Mota from Leeds City in the West Yorkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Maulana Yusuf Mota commented: "Total overcast, not sighted in Leeds Seacroft".
Nuneaton
Not seen after sunset: On 17 Aug 2023, ICOUK member Mr Ali Khan from Nuneaton City in the Warwickshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Portsmouth
Not seen after sunset: On 17 Aug 2023, ICOUK member Mr Mizanul Amin Babar from Portsmouth City in the Hampshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Redcar
Not seen after sunset: On 17 Aug 2023, ICOUK member Ms Amanda Khalid from Redcar City in the Cleveland County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Ms Amanda Khalid commented: "We had a group of 8 adults and 11 children mashallah sighting together [submitted on 18/8/2023 - Admin]".
Saltburn by the Sea
Not seen after sunset: On 17 Aug 2023, ICOUK member Ms Julie Breen from Saltburn by the Sea City in the Cleveland County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Ms Julie Breen commented: "Complete and heavy cloud cover throughout the whole sky".
Saltburn-by-the-Sea
Not seen after sunset: On 17 Aug 2023, ICOUK member Ms Shemanara Haq from Saltburn-by-the-Sea City in the Cleveland County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Ms Shemanara Haq commented: "Negative sighting with Sr Julie and my 8-year-old son from Saltburn-by-the-Sea. Complete cloud coverage. No gaps were seen. Binoculars were not used. Sunset 8:33 pm and moonset 9:18 pm. Before and after sunset photos".
Surbiton
Not seen after sunset: On 17 Aug 2023, ICOUK member Mr Javed Rafiq from Surbiton City in the Surrey County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Javed Rafiq commented: "Lots of low level cloud. Could not sight the crescent".
Whitehaven
Not seen after sunset: On 17 Aug 2023, ICOUK member Mr Faruq Bilbe from Whitehaven City in the Cumbria County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye or Binoculars.
Mr Faruq Bilbe commented: "The sky looked promising all day but come sunset a lot of clouds appeared on the western horizon. According to Sun Surveyor, the moon was behind the large grey blob in the second photo".
Woking
Not seen after sunset: On 17 Aug 2023, ICOUK member Mr Abdul Karim from Woking City in the Surrey County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Abdul Karim commented: "Unfortunately at Woking Mosque the trees were surrounding the horizon and the moon was very low from the tracker, so visibility was obscured by trees and buildings. I will try a higher location tomorrow, inshaAllah".
Worton
Not seen after sunset: On 17 Aug 2023, ICOUK member Mr Mujahid Chowdhury from Worton City in the Wiltshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
York (Murton)
Not seen after sunset: On 17 Aug 2023, ICOUK member Eng Qamar Uddin from York (Murton) City in the North Yorkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye or Binoculars.
Eng Qamar Uddin commented: "We were a group of four brothers from York who attempted to sight the moon but it was totally cloudy, so the moon was not sighted. Most of the UK reported negative sightings as well. However, we had a record sighting from two experienced sighters from Fleetwood Beach (Lancashire), Alhamdulillah".
Morocco
Meknes
Not seen after sunset: On 17 Aug 2023, ICOUK member Mr Juned Patel from Meknes City in the Fes-Meknes County (Morocco) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye or Binoculars.
Mr Juned Patel commented: "I could not see the crescent. The sky from 10 - 6 degrees was clear but below had a very dense haze. Although I did see the sunset but could not see the faint crescent under the hazy conditions. However, in other parts of Morocco, the crescent has been seen this evening".
Tangier
Seen after sunset: On 17 Aug 2023, ICOUK member Mr Hatim El-Harrak from Tangier City in the Tangier-Tetouan Al-Hoceima County (Morocco) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Hatim El-Harrak commented: "With my photo, Maghrib today, pictures of the crescent of the month of Safar Al-Khair 1445 AH. Thursday evening, Muharram 30, 1445 AH, corresponding to August 17, 2023".
18 Aug 2023
United Kingdom
Blackburn
Not seen after sunset: On 18 Aug 2023, ICOUK member Maulana Hidayatullah Patel from Blackburn City in the Lancashire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Maulana Hidayatullah Patel commented: "Totally cloudy".
Edinburgh
Not seen after sunset: On 18 Aug 2023, ICOUK member Mr Zahid Ali from Edinburgh City in the Scotland County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Zahid Ali commented: "Not seen".
Middlesbrough
Not seen after sunset: On 18 Aug 2023, ICOUK member Ms Shemanara Haq from Middlesbrough City in the Cleveland County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Ms Shemanara Haq commented: "Negative sighting from Middlesbrough. Complete cloud cover. No gaps in the sky to spot the hilal. Sunset time was 8:31 pm and moonset was 9:25 pm. Photo was taken at least 10 mins before sunset".
Richmond upon Thames
Not seen after sunset: On 18 Aug 2023, ICOUK member Mr Abdul Karim from Richmond upon Thames City in the Greater London County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Abdul Karim commented: "I set off from Kingston Mosque after Maghrib Salah to Richmond Hill which is roughly 55m above sea level. Sadly the sky was fully cloudy and rain was drizzling at the time. There was no chance of sighting due to poor atmospheric conditions".
Surbiton
Not seen after sunset: On 18 Aug 2023, ICOUK member Mr Javed Rafiq from Surbiton City in the Surrey County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Javed Rafiq commented: "There were grey clouds, nothing visible".
Worton
Not seen after sunset: On 18 Aug 2023, ICOUK member Mr Mujahid Chowdhury from Worton City in the Wiltshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
York (Murton)
Not seen after sunset: On 18 Aug 2023, ICOUK member Eng Qamar Uddin from York (Murton) City in the North Yorkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Eng Qamar Uddin commented: "It was totally cloudy in York today (18/8/2023) and the forecast looks like most of the UK was cloudy too, except in some remote areas".
Morocco
Meknes
Seen after sunset: On 18 Aug 2023, ICOUK member Mr Juned Patel from Meknes City in the Fes-Meknes County (Morocco) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye and Binoculars.
Mr Juned Patel commented: "I finally managed to see the crescent moon for Safar 1445 on the 2nd day from within the boundary of Morocco. - New Waxing Crescent Moon - Location: Morocco - 18 August 2023, Friday (2nd Safar 1445) - Search conducted between 18:00 to 21:30 - Sunset: 20:06 Moonset: 21:24 - Moon's Altitude at Sunset: 15.7° - Sighted by binoculars 10x50 between 19:59 to 21:08, Moon's Alt 17° to 3° Sun's Alt +1° - Sighted by DSLR camera between 20:01 to 21:13, Moon's Alt 16.5° to 2° - Sighted by naked eye between 20:04 to 21:08, Moon's Alt 15.9° to 3° Sun's Alt +0.1° - Moon's Age: 57.36 Hours after conjunction - Elongation: 25° - Illumination: 5% [Submitted on 19/8/2023 - Admin]".
Announcement for start of Safar 1445 AH
On Thursday, 17th August 2023 (29th Muharram 1445 AH) the Hilal of Safar 1445 was sighted in the UK (Local), as a record (HMNAO/Yallop Code C). Therefore, the month of Muharram 1445 AH will have 29 days and the month of Safar 1445 AH will start on Friday, 18th August 2023, InShaAllah.
Signed by (Ulama Panel): Maulana Yusuf Mota, Maulana Abdullah Ahmed, Maulana Ebrahim Diwan. Witnessed by Br Imad Ahmed, Sr Rahma Alfarsy, Eng. Qamar Uddin, ICOUK (17/08/2023 21:50 BST)
Morocco (Regional): the month of Safar 1445 AH will start from Friday, 18th August 2023, InShaAllah. See the report from Morocco Awqaf Ministry (login to view).
Note that Saudi Arabia do not normally make any official Hilal Sighting announcement from Safar to Shaban (as they usually follow the Ummul Qura Calendar in these months).